© 2024 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Ohio Bans Restaurants, Bars From Serving Alcohol After 10 p.m.

Arina P. Habich, Shutterstock.com

The Ohio Liquor Control Commission adopted a rule banning restaurants and bars in Ohio from serving alcohol after 10 p.m. Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) says this rule can help stem the spread of COVID-19. But restaurant and bar owners believe they're being unfairly targeted.

Opponents to the alcohol sales curfew argued that the state already has mechanisms in place to regulate the bars and restaurants that are not following Ohio's coronavirus-related policies, such as social distancing.

Alicia Zambelli is an attorney with Isaac Wiles representing several restaurants and bars. She says establishments have already been working hard to follow the existing rules.

"The vast majority of operators are adhering to those requirements and to punish all for the acts of a few would be very unfair," Zambelli says.

But DeWine's spokesperson says outbreaks of the virus have been traced back to restaurants and bars, and says the 10 p.m. ban is trying to target certain behavior of people getting out of their seats to intermingle. Critics have said specific data proving those outbreaks have not been provided.

Under the rule, alcohol cannot be sold after 10 p.m. and patrons have until 11 p.m. to finish any drinks they bought before the cut off. The restaurants are allowed to provide up to three drinks via carry-out orders.

Copyright 2020 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.
Andy Chow
Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.